KatyKing wrote:Social aspect of Spiritualism in our neck of the woods revolves around tea and cake, biscuits too sometimes.The abiding impression newcomers to our meetings comment on time and again is the warmth of welcome.Spiritualists tend to be cheery souls with room for all sorts and conditions of folk. How could we be different? We belong to the most optimistic movement in the world.If personal survival isn't good news then what can be?More recruits join via 'honey' than would ever come for vinegar.A smile is a frown turned upside down... etc.There's rather a good report of an 'apparition' in that book referred to above. There's an extract from that to be found via the hyperlink.

Like I said,Pete,spirit love laughter.....I'll have a slice of chocolater cake now.... Joan.

That's for sure, they do; and we miss a whole lot on this side if we neglect the fun aspects.Serious doesn't have to mean gloomy.Upbeat platform mediums do seem to get and to give more, most work faster too so more folk get something.Nicky Alan at ours recently billed as 'fast and funny', and she was. Smashing night, loads of nods and smiles for cracking evidence.

KatyKing wrote:Social aspect of Spiritualism in our neck of the woods revolves around tea and cake, biscuits too sometimes.The abiding impression newcomers to our meetings comment on time and again is the warmth of welcome.Spiritualists tend to be cheery souls with room for all sorts and conditions of folk. How could we be different? We belong to the most optimistic movement in the world.If personal survival isn't good news then what can be?More recruits join via 'honey' than would ever come for vinegar.A smile is a frown turned upside down... etc.There's rather a good report of an 'apparition' in that book referred to above. There's an extract from that to be found via the hyperlink.

I can't think of a religion that doesn't preach personal survival in one form or another.

obiwan wrote:I can't think of a religion that doesn't preach personal survival in one form or another.

Atheism

"Atheism will be defined in the contemporary western sense: not just the lack of belief in a god, but the assertion about the non-existence of any gods, spirits, or divine or supernatural beings. Atheists in this sense are metaphysical naturalists, and as will be shown, they DO follow a religion."From - http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion

obiwan wrote:I can't think of a religion that doesn't preach personal survival in one form or another.

Atheism

"Atheism will be defined in the contemporary western sense: not just the lack of belief in a god, but the assertion about the non-existence of any gods, spirits, or divine or supernatural beings. Atheists in this sense are metaphysical naturalists, and as will be shown, they DO follow a religion."From - http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion

I don't see Atheism as a religion (nor agnosticism either), I would think it is more of a philosophical position. I can see some Atheists are dogmatic but that doesn't make Atheism a religion. If it is - does that mean not playing football is a sport?

obiwan wrote:I can't think of a religion that doesn't preach personal survival in one form or another.

Atheism

"Atheism will be defined in the contemporary western sense: not just the lack of belief in a god, but the assertion about the non-existence of any gods, spirits, or divine or supernatural beings. Atheists in this sense are metaphysical naturalists, and as will be shown, they DO follow a religion."From - http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion

I don't see Atheism as a religion (nor agnosticism either), I would think it is more of a philosophical position. I can see some Atheists are dogmatic but that doesn't make Atheism a religion. If it is - does that mean not playing football is a sport?

Atheism and Agnosticism are very different creatures. I'm sure that many will agree with you, as I'm also sure - many won't. (did you read the link to the full article I quoted from - before replying?)

obiwan wrote:I can't think of a religion that doesn't preach personal survival in one form or another.

Atheism

"Atheism will be defined in the contemporary western sense: not just the lack of belief in a god, but the assertion about the non-existence of any gods, spirits, or divine or supernatural beings. Atheists in this sense are metaphysical naturalists, and as will be shown, they DO follow a religion."From - http://creation.com/atheism-a-religion

I don't see Atheism as a religion (nor agnosticism either), I would think it is more of a philosophical position. I can see some Atheists are dogmatic but that doesn't make Atheism a religion. If it is - does that mean not playing football is a sport?

Atheism and Agnosticism are very different creatures. I'm sure that many will agree with you, as I'm also sure - many won't. (did you read the link to the full article I quoted from - before replying?)

Yes I did Leslie - why be so impolite? The article is simply opinion. It is not a new argument and has been deployed many time against skeptics. I'd much rather hear your own opinion tbh.

obiwan wrote:Yes I did Leslie - why be so impolite? The article is simply opinion. It is not a new argument and has been deployed many time against skeptics. I'd much rather hear your own opinion tbh.

I commented, you replied, I responded - isn't that how discussions work? In the process of which, I didn't realise I was being impolite (it certainly wasn't intended to be) - I simply asked a question, posed in a similar vein to the many you ask here (which of course - you wouldn't see as impolite... would you...).

"I can't think of a religion that doesn't preach personal survival in one form or another".

Quite right obi, you can't; well done you for sharing.It's an honest man that recognises his limitations.

I was agreeing with you obi. No offence intended. A recognised unknown can be addressed so should you be interested in doing so you could investigate, to discover; those faith communities that don't hold to a concept of survival. Knowledge won is knowledge kept.Spiritualism encourages reflective enquiry. Despite the self appointed posturings of a few sad individuals we've never been a home for gurus. The minute anyone tells you.. 'NO you are wrong.. Spiritualism is my this NOT your that'that's fundamentalism not Spiritualism. Happy hunting old chum. A day without learning is a day wasted.